Returning officers not allowed to talk to media

The Election Commission (EC) has directed the returning officers of the 11th parliamentary elections to not speak to the media.

On November 22, the EC issued a directive letter signed by the Election Commission’s Deputy Secretary Abdul Halim Khan.

It is said that without the commission’s consent, officials will not be allowed to leave the workplace, participate in any briefing regarding any development, administration, and election of the government.

In the letter, it is further said that according to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, Section 7 of article 7 and 2 of the Election Commission of Bangladesh, the Election Commissioner of Dhaka and Divisional commissioner Chattogram and all the Deputy Commissioners appointed as the Returning Officer on November 8, 2018. In this context, it is also mentioned that during the election period the job of returning officers is entrusted with the election commission.

The copies of the letter were sent to Cabinet Secretary, the Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, senior secretaries and secretaries of all ministries, all the departmental commissioners, all the deputy commissioners, all the regional election officers, senior district election officers, and district election officers.